Rifle telescope-mounting.



A. L. LOWE. RIFLE TELESCOPE moumme.

APPLICATION FILE]? FEB. 6, 1913. 1,083,288. Patented Jan. 6, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

R T S A. L. LOWE. RIFLE TELESCOPE MOUNTING. APPLICATION FILED P33. 6, 1913.

1,083,288. Patented Jan. 6, 1914.

V 2 SHL'ETSSHEET 2.

attozwuao To all whom it may concern:

AUBREY L. Low'n, or ILfOfi, New YORK.

RIFLE rntnscorn iaouiirme.

Be it known that I, AUBREY L. Lown, a citizen of Canada, residing at Ilion, the county of Herkimer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rifle Telescope Mountin s; and I do declare the following to be a ful, clear, and exact description of the invent-ion, such as ,well enable-others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

This invention relates to fire arms, and

more' especially to the means for sighting -or aiming the same; and the object of the invention is to provide an improved pair of mountings whereby a telescope may be "attached to the receiver or frame of a rifle in such a way that it can be swung into position above the barrelso; thatthe' marksman can find his target with precision, or it may be'swung aside so that the marksman may use the ordinary gunsilgh'ts.

' A- further object of the invention is to provide said mountings with delicate adjustments to take up wear, whereby when the telescope has once been mounted on the rifle and adjusted, its axis will remain in true alinement with the axis of the rifle barrel.

Still anotherobj'ect of this invention is to provide means in the mountings for adjust-' ing the position of the telescope vertically with respect to the axis of the gun barrel, as when the distance is great, and for returning the telescope immediately to true parallelism with the barrel when desired.

These and other objects are carried out by constructing the mountings and the parts thereofin the manner hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and shown in the;

drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rifle provided with my invention, the telescope being here. disposed 'above the rifle barrel ready for use; and Fig. 2 is a similar view with the telescope turned aside so that the marksman may use the ordinary gun sight. Fig; 3

is an enlarged side'elevation of the front mounting, and Fig. 4 a'si-mi'lar view of .the rear mounting. Fig. 5 is across section through the pivot which connects the upper arm-of 'either,mounting with the lower arm or base plate. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the front mounting turned into position above the receiver of the rifle which is illustrated in dotted lines, andFig. 7 is a similar elevation of the rear mounting, both views Application 11166 February.

' -1 ml sewn taken on the line type of sights S;- and I showingthe mou tings or the guides thereof indo'tted lines as turned aside. Fig. 8 8-8 of Fig. 7, and 9 1s a sectional detail at rlght angles to the section'line in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective detail o'f-the' cam hereinafter re erred to.

7 Patented Jan. 6, 1914.; 6.1913. Serial an pa v In the drawings is shown an ordinary rifle whose frame or receiver R stands at the rear endof t ts barrel B, while the latter i m 'vided' with the ordinary or any preferred the letter T designates" a e-telescope ofproper size and light weight so that it is adapted for use in connection wil ili this rifle. invention is to of mountings .by means of which said te'1e-' scope may he held in strict alinement with the rifle barrel B, and may be turned above thesame for use as in Fig. 1 or thrown to one side thereof as in Fig, 2. s

It is well lmown to those who have used the rifle for hunting purposes, that for a qu1ck snap shot the telescope is useless. When it is mounted on the side of the barrel, the user can glance over thesight and take aim and fire quickly when it is mounted aboVethe'barrel he cannot. But with my The purpose of the present stantly from one position to -the other by means of the left thumb, when superimposed above the barrel it is intrue alin'ement therewithand can be adjusted for any distance, when turned aside 1t does not interfere with the useof the ordinary gun sights or with their adjustments if the are adjustable. andcven when turned asi c it may be used as'wel'l asthe device above mentioned-which C oming now v more particularly to a description of the presentinve'ntion inits preferred form, the main plate 1' of reach mounting is-securedto the receiver R in any su table manner as by means of two screws 2, and at its upper end it carrles a pair of knuckles?) having conical sockets kin-their provlde an improved pair t improved set of mountingsas hereinafter described, the telescope can be, moved in- 'was fixed at the side of the barrel or stock. 7

outer ends. Between these knucklesis. disposed a single knuckle 5 at the lower end of an upright arm 6, this knuckle having a cylindrical eye which rotatably engages'the T cylindrical shank 7 of a: bolt whose head 8 is made conical tofit one of said sockets in the knuckles 3 of the base plate, and whose mil; 9 is similarly made conicalefor the purpose of fitting the socket in the other knuckle 3. It is obvious that wear occurs between the beveled or conical faces, as the bolt may be made to rotate with the inter- For holding it in adjusted position, a set screw 11 ma well be provided as best seen in Fig. 5. he purpose of this particular form of pivot and its nicety of adjustment is 'to cause the upper arm 6 of each mounting to swing with precision around the base plate 1 thereof, even though the rifle to which this attachment is applied may be roughly handled, or jarred by the shocks incident to its discharge. By loosem-ng. the locking screw 10 and set screw 11, then adjusting the nut, and finally resetting sald screws, wear on the conical contacting faces may be taken up and new parts of said faces brought into contact with each other in a manner which will be clear.

ceeded, but the upper The mountings are .duplicates of each other as far asjthis description has proarm 6 of the front mounting has a r1ng 15 at its upper end within which. is secured a round guide or eye 16' made preferably a little larger than the telescope T. When the latter is. passed through this eye as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, set screws 17 and 18 disposed about as shown in Fig. 6 are adjusted end of the telescope against the tension of a spring 19 whichis mounted in a notch 20 through the bottom ofthe eye 16, and to adjust this end of the telescope laterally so that it will aline strictly with the gun barrel B; and after the adjustment of said screws they are locked by means of check nuts 21. It is intended that the front end or front member of the telescope shall be properly set within this guide 16, and then looked therein, because it is not to be moved.

The upper end of. the upper arm 6 of the rear mounting carries an open frame ,25 instead of the ring 15, and within th1s frame is disposed the rear guide which here takes the shape of .a clamp26 made in the form of a split ring whose ends 27 may be drawn together by means of a screw 28 so that this guide member will rather closely embrace the rear section or rear member of the telescope, but yet permit it to be adjusted when the telescope is to be focused. However, this is not essential, for the lenses in the telescopemay be adjusted without adjusting themembers of the telescope itself,

and the'refore'I do not wish to be limited with respect tothe tightness of the clamp 26 on the telescope T. The frame 26 is not circular like the ring 15, but it is of greater vertical dimension than lateral, and within its flattened upright sides slide the flattened upright sides of the clamp 26 which fits a locking screw 10; and when such wear to depress the front' rather closely within said frame transversely of the latter, but has a vertical movement therein as shown in Fig. 7 In the bottom of the frame 25 is a notch 20 in which is seated a spring 19 having a tendency to normally elevate the rear end of the telescope. In this respect this guide corresponds with the front guide, but otherwise it differs as to its manner of adjustment. After it'- is adjusted it may be locked within the frame 25 by setting up ascrew 29 whose tip engages a notch 30. best seen in Fig. 8, or this screw may beused as a guide to prevent removal of the clamp from the frame, and the latter can be locked by a stop screw 31 which passes inward through the frame with its tip against the clamp, and is held after adjustment by a check nut 32. In the upper end 35 of said clamp is cut a spiral recess 36, preferably leaving a central stud 37 upstanding as shown in Fig. 9. Coacting with said recess is a spiral cam 38 (see Fig. 10), having a central socket 39 receivingsaid stud 37, although both the socket and stud could be omitted.

. Rising rigidly and by preference integrally from the cam 38 is a cylindrical stem 40 which is journaled closely in a sleeve or collar 41 at the top of the frame 25, and v the back or upper side of the cam forms a flat shoulder 42 making neat contact with a similar shoulder within the frame as best seen in Fig. 9. Resting on the-upper end of said collar is a spring-washer 43. Revolubly mounted around said collar is a button or knob 44 having an internal shoulder 45 resting upon the spring washer 43, and the exterior of this knob is by preference milled as shown in Fig. 7 and provided with graduations 46 which may coact with a mark on the frame so that it can be adjusted nicely.

The upper end of the stem projects into the reduced bore of said knob 44 above its shoulder 45, and its upper extremity. is tapped with a .screw-threaded hole for the reception tively to the knob, so that'the spring washer 43 is compressed between theupper end of said collar 41 and the shoulder 45 within the knob; and after the set screw-47 has been adjusted it is held by a locking screw 48. I have given the description of this feature of my invention in considerable detail, because I consider it an improvement over those devices wherein the telescope or any form of sighting instrument is adjusted by means of some member which rotates more than once, and it is clear that a knob 44 of considerable size may have graduations 46 clear around its periphery and a cam 38 of considerable pitch coacting with a spiral groove 36 of the same pitch will depress the clamp 26 within the frame 25 as far as per- .of the shank of a set screw 47. By adjust- ,ing the latter the stem 40 is drawn upward and its shoulder 42 raisesthe collar 41 rela- 1,os3,2ss'

mitted by the stop screw 31. When the knob is turned in the opposite direction, the leaf springl9 raises the clamp 26 and-withit the rear end of the telescope. 'Therefore this guide is for the vertical adjustment rotated by means of its knob until the telescope is properly set for point blank range. Then-the stop screw 31- is set up into contact with the frame and the check nut 32 tightened. The locking. screw 48 is then loosened, and the knob turned until the zero mark on its graduations 46 coincide'with a scratch mark on the frame 25, after which the locking screw 48 is set up tight again. Thereafter the turning of the knob 44 in the proper directionwill-cause the face of the spiral cam 38 to travel upon the face of'the spiral recess 36 so as to depress the clamp or guide 26 against the tendency of its spring 19', or to permit it to rise as said spring 1 impels-the locking screw 29 beingloosened said adjustments are effected.-

when adjustments are made -and set after The use of this entire device will now be obvious. When the telescope -T is turned aside as shown in Fig. 2.and in dotted lines in Figs. 6 and 7, the rifle may be used as. v

cured to the rifle and having a pair of usual and the marksman casts his eye, along the sights S. When he desires to bring the telescope into action,,he raises, it by lifting with'his left thumb, and the mountings turn on their pivots so that the telescope assumes the. position shown in Fig. 1'. At this time a spring 50 which is carried behind each base plate 1 engages-a notch 51o-n each intermediate knuckle 5 as seen in Fig. 6, and the 1 telescope" therefore stands accurately above and in a line with the fifle barrel B. If the user is sufficiently familiar with the telescope and expertin the use of it as a means for sighting the gun, he can now discharge his weapon without moving the telescope; otherwise, he may turn it aside to the position shown in Fig'..-2 and throw his eye along the sights S and fire the rifle-as usual.

It is to be unaderstood that the lateral adjustment'expl ined in connection with, the

forward guide best illustrated in Fig. 6 will i come into play when the telescope is first put. in use and mounted upon the rifle, and the flat upright faces within the frame 25 and'at opposite sides of the clamp or guide 26 prevent the rear mounting from permitting .the rear end 'ofthe telescope to be deflected transversely by rough. usage or explosions. ments of the clamp or guide 26 within the frame 25, as explained with reference to Fig. 7, are for altitude or elevation, wholly irrespective of the lateraladjustments or explosions.

On the other hand, the adjust shown in Fig. 6. If the marksman desires 'to'use his rifle for target practice, forinstance, it is quite possible for him to adjust the rearward guide and the telescope at eachdifferent range, and in that case he may telescope the sections of the telescope itself, or adjust its focus by setting its lenses according to. his need. a If its members do not telescope, however, it is preferred that he set up the screw 28 so that the, clamp 26 will closely engage the telescope and no dislodg- .ment thereof can beeflected by rough usage All parts of this device are by preference of metal, and the exact metal and the finish are not important.

What is claimed as new is: 1. In a sight mounting for rifles and the like, the combination with one member secured to the rifle and having a. pair of knuckles, and a second member-carrying the sight and having a single knuckle interposed between the oth'er two; of a bolt whose shank passes through the alined knuckles, a nut screwed on the end of the bolt this end of the bolt being tapped with a threaded hole, 1

a set screw engaging said hole for holding the nut after it has been adjusted, and means for locking the intermediate knuckle upon the shank ofsaid bolt.

2. In a sight mounting for rifies'and the like, the combination with one member seknuckles having conical socket-s in their outer 'ends, and a second member carrying the sight and having a single knuckle interposed between the othertwo; of a bolt whose shank passes through the alined knuckles and whose head is made conical on its under side to fit one of said sockets, a nut screwed on the end of the bolt and made coni-- cal to fit the other socket, this end of the .bolt' being tapped with a threaded hole, a

set screw engaging said hole for holding the nut after it has been adjusted, and means for locking the intermediate knuckle upon the shank .of said bolt.

3. In a sight mounting for rifles and the like, the combination with one member-secured to the rifle and having a pair-of spaced knuckles at its u'pper end, a spring carried inside this member, a second member whose upper end carries the sight and whose-lower end has a single knuckle interposed between the other two and provided with a notch engaged by the tip of said spring when the sight stands. in position above the barrel; of a bolt passing through the alined knuckles, and means for centering it therein and adjusting it go a degree of tightness.

4. The herein described pair of mountings for tubular gun-sights, the same compoints through ring and bearing on said sight, check nuts nected with said lower members, a ring at the upper end of the upper member of the forward mounting, an eye in said ring for receiving the sight, means in said eye for effecting lateral adjustments of said sight, an upright frame at theiupper .end of the upper member of the rear mounting, a clamp within said frame receiving the rear end of the sight, and means, for efiecting vertical adjustments of said clamp.

The herein described pair of mountings for tubular gun-sights, the same com-- prising two lower members secured to the gun-stock, two other memberspivotally connected with said lower members, a ring at the upper end of the upper member of the forward mounting, an eye in said ring for receiving the sight, a leaf spring secured at its mid-length across the bottom of said eye with its arms bearing said sight upward, set screws projecting obliquely inward at two the upper portion of said forholding said set/screw, an upright frame at the upper end of theupper member of the rear mounting, a clamp within said frame receiving the rear end of the sight, and means for effecting vertical adjustments of said clamp.

6. The herein described pair of mountings for tubular gun-sights, the same com.-

-prising two lower members secured to the gun-stock, two other members pivotally connected with said-1ower members, a ring at the upper end ofthe upper member of the forward mounting, an eye in said ring for receiving the sight, means in said eye for effecting lateral adjustments of said sight,

an upright frame at the upper end of the upper member of the rear mounting, a

clamp withinsaid'frame receiving the rear end of the sight,- a leaf spring secured at its mid-length across the bottom of said frame with its arms bearing this end of the sight normally upward, means for clamping this clamp upon said sight, a cam supported by the top of the frame for depressing this clamp against the tension of said spring, and a knob for actuating said cam.

7. The herein described pair of mountprising two lower members secured to the gun-stock, two other members pi'votally connected with said lower members, a ring at the upper end of the upper member of the 'forward mounting, an eye in said ring for sight, a leaf spring secured at its mid-length across the bottom of said receiving the eye with its arms bearing said sight upward, set screws projecting obliquely inward at two points through the upper portion of said ring and bearing on said sig t, check nuts for holding said set screws, an upright frame at the upper end of the upper member of the rear'mounting, a guide within said frame receiving the rear end of the sight, a leaf spring secured vat its mid-length across the bottom of said frame with its arms bearing this end of the sight normally upward, and means for clamping this guide upon said sight comprising a cam supported by the top of the frame for depressing this guide against the tension of said spring and a knob for actuating said cam.

8. A sight mounting comprising a vertically elongated frame, a locking screw through one' side thereof, and means holding the frame above a gun-barrel; combined with a clamp mounted within said frame and having fiattened sides engaging the sides thereof, the clamp being a split ring adapted to embrace the sight, means for drawing the ends of said ring together,

one side having an upright notch receiving ing the clamp within the frame, acammounted in the top of the frame for depressing the'clamp against the tension of said spring, and a rotatable knob for turning said cam.

10. A sight mounting comprising a vertifor cally elongated frame, a sight-clamp mov- Y ably mounted within said frame and having a spiral recess in its upper end, a spiral cam whose, face engages said recess and whoseshank is journaled through the top ofxsaid frame, yielding means for normally raising the clamp against the cam, and a knob on a the shank of the latter, for the purpose set forth. i

l1. A sight mounting comprising a vertically elongated frame; a sight-clamp movably mounted within said frame and having a spiral recess in its upper end, aspiral cam whose face engages said recess and whose shank is journaled through the top of said frame, yielding means for normally raising the clamp against the cam, a knob having a tubular bore mounted on the upper nd of the shank of said cam and tapped in its upper extremity with a threaded hole, a set screw Whose shank engages said hole and whose head overlies the upper end of the knob, and a locking screw through the side of said knob against the shank of said set screw, for the purpose set forth.

1' 12. A sight mounting for fire-arms comj prising, a vertically elongated frame carried above the barrel, a sight-holding clamp vertically movable Within said frame and having a spiral recess in its upper end, the frame having an upstanding collar above and concentric with said recess, and yielding means for normally raising said clamp; combined with a spring washer mounted on the upper end of said collar, a knob Whose lower end surrounds said collar and is externally grad- Hated and whose interior is provided With a shoulder resting on said spring Washer, a spiral cam whose face fits said recess and whose shank rises through said knob, and means for detachably and adjustably connecting said shank and knob.

13. A sight mounting for firearms comprising a vertically elongated frame carried above the barrel and having an upright collar, a sight-holding clamp vertically movable within said frame, andyielding means for normally raising said clamp; combined with a spring washer mounted on the upper end of said collar, a knob whose lower end surrounds said collar and is externally graduated and whose interior is provided with a shoulder resting on said spring washer, a

cam having a shank rotatably mounted in said collar, and connections between the up per end of said shank and the knob whereby the position of the latter with'respect to the cam face may be adjusted at will, for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination with .-a firearm having the usual sights, and a telescope; of a pair of mountings, each hinged within its length and having its lower member secured to the side of the stock, and connections between the upper member of one of said pair and the telescope for permitting vertical ad justments of this end of the latter.

16. The combination with a firearmhaving the usual sights, and a telescope; of a pair of mountings, each hinged within its length and having its lower member secured to the side of the stock, connections between the upper member of one of said pair and the telescope for permitting lateral adjustment of one end of the latter, and connect-ions between the upper member of the other of the pair and the telescope for permitting vertical adjustments of this end of the telescope.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

AUBREY L. LOWE. Witnesses:

THOMAS E. ROBBINS,

W. J. CAMERON, 

